ILIGAN CITY – Operating troops from the 7th and 9th Scout Ranger Company under the 3rd Scout Ranger Battalion encountered an undetermined number of Dawlah Islamiyah members in the hinterlands of Barangay Piangologan, Marogong town in Lanao del Sur at around 8:58 p.m. on Wednesday, May 31.
Four DI members were killed while one female and two young individuals were rescued during a firefight that lasted for about five minutes. The gunfight stopped as the other DI members started to scamper in different directions.
Major General Yegor Rey Barroquillo Jr., commander of the 103rd Infantry (Haribon) Brigade, confirmed in a text message that one soldier was killed while three others were wounded.
Four DI fighters were killed in action, two of them were identified as Abu Obaidah, deputy amir (leader), DI-Lanao and maker of improvised explosive devices (IED) in the group, and Abu Mujahid, the group's squad leader.
Government soldiers seized high-powered firearms, including one AR-15 Bushmaster; two M16A1 rifles; one R4 rifle; four 5.56mm long magazines; three Baofeng commercial radios; 70 5.56mm ammunition; one IED set; a logbook diagram for IED; two smartphones; one keypad cellphone; and three backpacks with personal belongings.
Task Force Zampelan and 1st Infantry Division commander Major Gen. Antonio Nafarrete commended the troops for their dedication and firm resolve in carrying out their sworn duties in protecting civilian communities from danger.
Nafarrete stressed that government troops will not stop pursuing the terrorist group until they are all neutralized.